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The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has said he will follow a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons. He told reporters from Fox News that it might take one year to do this. Mr Assad said: "I think it is a very complicated operation technically, and it needs a lot of money. Some estimates say about $1 billion." He added: "It is very bad for the environment. If the American government is ready to pay this money and take the responsibility of bringing toxic materials to the United States, why don't they do it?" America wants Syria to agree to a United Nations resolution that includes American military action if Syria does not keep its promise. However, Russia said no to this.
President Assad again told the world that rebels carried out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus last month. America says it has information that shows Syria's army used the sarin gas, not the rebels. Mr Assad said America was wrong. Russia says there is not enough proof that Syria's army was responsible. Russia's foreign minister said he has evidence that showed the rebels were part of the sarin attack. Mr Assad explained how the rebels could have used the gas. He said: "Sarin gas is called kitchen gas. You know why? Because anybody can make sarin in his house. Any rebel can make sarin." He also said Syria was in "a new kind of war" because fighters from more than 80 countries had joined the rebels.
Try Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24155674
http://news.sky.com/story/1143623/assad-to-destroy-chemical-weapons-in-a-year
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/09/19/Syria-s-chemical-weapons-disposal-will-cost-1-bln-Assad-says-.html
WARM-UPS
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1. CHEMICAL WEAPONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about chemical weapons. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.
chemical weapons / operation / lots of money / environment / military action / promise / rebels / attacked / Damascus / sarin gas / information / a new kind of war / fighters
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PEOPLE: What do these people think about the war in Syria? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
What do they think?
How do they think it will end?
Bashar al-Assad
President Obama
Vladimir Putin
A rebel
A Syrian soldier
A Syrian farmer
4. PEACE: Students A strongly believe peace will come to Syria soon; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
MY e-BOOK
See a sample5. SYRIA DANGERS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most dangerous at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
• chemical weapons
• Bashar al-Assad
• rebels
• Syria's neighbours
• Al Qaeda
• conventional weapons
• ethnic differences
• President Obama
6. REBEL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rebel". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a.
President Assad said he will need 3 years to destroy chemical weapons.
T / F
b.
Mr Assad asked America to pay $1 billion to help destroy the weapons.
T / F
c.
Mr Assad asked America to take deadly chemicals to the USA.
T / F
d.
Russia agreed to military action if Syria broke its promises.
T / F
e.
Mr Assad said rebels attacked Damascus with chemical weapons.
T / F
f.
Russia said America needs to show more proof about the attack.
T / F
g.
Mr Assad said sarin gas was very difficult to make.
T / F
h.
Assad said people from just under 80 countries have joined the rebels.
T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1.
follow
a.
complex
2.
destroy
b.
guerillas
3.
complicated
c.
conducted
4.
estimates
d.
wipe out
5.
toxic
e.
type
6.
carried out
f.
poisonous
7.
rebels
g.
stick to
8.
proof
h.
to blame
9.
responsible
i.
rough guesses
10.
kind
j.
evidence
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1.
follow a plan to destroy his country's
a.
action
2.
it might take one year
b.
technically
3.
a very complicated operation
c.
make sarin
4.
It is very bad
d.
in Damascus last month
5.
that includes American military
e.
chemical weapons
6.
a chemical weapons attack
f.
kind of war
7.
Russia says there is not enough
g.
than 80 countries
8.
Any rebel can
h.
to do this
9.
Syria was in a new
i.
proof
10.
fighters from more
j.
for the environment
GAP FILL
The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has said he will (1) ____________ a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons. He told reporters from Fox News that it (2) ____________ take one year to do this. Mr Assad said: "I think it is a very complicated operation (3) ____________, and it needs a lot of money. Some (4) ____________ say about $1 billion." He added: "It is very bad for the environment. If the American government is (5) ____________ to pay this money and take the responsibility of bringing (6) ____________ materials to the United States, why don't they do it?" America wants Syria to agree to a United Nations resolution that includes American (7) ____________ action if Syria does not (8) ____________ its promise. However, Russia said no to this.
toxic
estimates
military
might
keep
follow
ready
technically
President Assad again told the world that rebels (9) ____________ out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus last month. America says it has information that (10) ____________ Syria's army used the sarin gas, not the rebels. Mr Assad said America was wrong. Russia says there is not enough (11) ____________ that Syria's army was (12) ____________. Russia's foreign minister said he has evidence that showed the rebels were (13) ____________ of the sarin attack. Mr Assad explained how the rebels could have used the gas. He said: "Sarin gas is called (14) ____________ gas. You know why? Because anybody can make sarin in his house. Any rebel can make sarin." He also said Syria was in "a new (15) ____________ of war" because (16) ____________ from more than 80 countries had joined the rebels.
part
fighters
shows
kitchen
proof
carried
kind
responsible
LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1)
I think it is a very complicated ______
a. operation technical
b. operation technicality
c. operation technically
d. operation technique key2)
He added: It is very bad ______
a. for the environments
b. for the environment
c. for the environmentally
d. for the environmental3)
take the responsibility of bringing ______ the United States
a. talk sick materials to
b. tock sick materials to
c. toxic materials to
d. tocks it materials to4)
America wants Syria to agree to a ______
a. United Nations revolution
b. United Nations red solution
c. United Nations resolution
d. United Nations revulsion5)
American military action if Syria does not ______
a. keep its promised
b. keep its promise
c. keep its promises
d. keep its promising6)
Assad again told the world that rebels carried out a chemical ______
a. weapons attack
b. weapons attacks
c. weapons attacker
d. weapons attacked7)
information that shows Syria's army used the sarin gas, ______
a. not the red balls
b. not the rebels
c. not the revels
d. not the levels8)
there is not enough proof that Syria's army ______
a. was responsible
b. was response able
c. was responsibility
d. was responsive9)
Mr Assad explained how the rebels could ______
a. have used a gas
b. have used the gas
c. have used any gas
d. have used this gas10)
He also said Syria was in a ______
a. new kinds of war
b. new kindly of war
c. new kind of war
d. new, kinder warLISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, (1) ___________________ follow a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons. He told reporters from Fox News that (2) ___________________ year to do this. Mr Assad said: "I think it is a very complicated (3) ___________________, and it needs a lot of money. Some estimates say about $1 billion." He added: "It is very bad for the environment. If the American government (4) __________________ this money and take the responsibility of (5) ___________________ to the United States, why don't they do it?" America wants Syria to agree to a United Nations resolution that includes American military action if Syria does (6) ___________________. However, Russia said no to this.
President Assad again told the world (7) ___________________ out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus last month. America says it has (8) ___________________ Syria's army used the sarin gas, not the rebels. Mr Assad said America was wrong. Russia says there is (9) ___________________ that Syria's army was responsible. Russia's foreign minister said he has (10) ___________________ the rebels were part of the sarin attack. Mr Assad explained how the rebels could have used the gas. He said: "Sarin gas is called kitchen gas. You know why? Because anybody can make sarin in his house. Any (11) ___________________." He also said Syria was in "(12) ___________________" because fighters from more than 80 countries had joined the rebels.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1.
What will Syria's president follow?
2.
Who did Mr Assad talk to about his chemical weapons?
3.
What kind of operation did Mr Assad say it was?
4.
What is the destruction programme bad for?
5.
What does America want do if Syria doesn't keep its promise?
6.
What did Mr Assad tell the world?
7.
What does America have to show Syria used chemical weapons?
8.
What did Russia say about America?
9.
What is another name for sarin gas?
10.
How many different nationalities might be among the rebels?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1.
What will Syria's president follow?
6.
What did Mr Assad tell the world?
a) his heart
b) a plan
c) America's ideas
d) the United Nations
a) rebels used chemical weapons
b) Syria needs help
c) to be quiet
d) Mr Obama is evil2.
Who did Mr Assad talk to about his chemical weapons?
7.
What does America have to show Syria used chemical weapons?
a) Wolf News
b) Hyena News
c) Fox News
d) Hound News
a) a signed order from Mr Asssad
b) unused weapons
c) video images
d) information3.
What kind of operation did Mr Assad say it was?
8.
What did Russia say about America?
a) life-threatening
b) medical
c) life-saving
d) complicated
a) it will never attack Syria
b) it's a friend and ally
c) it was wrong
d) it's a bully4.
What is the destruction programme bad for?
9.
What is another name for sarin gas?
a) business
b) the environment
c) international relations
d) people in the north of Syria
a) chicken gas
b) toilet gas
c) monster gas
d) kitchen gas5.
What does America want do if Syria doesn't keep its promise?
10.
How many different nationalities might be among the rebels?
a) attack
b) talk
c) go to the U.N.
d) wait
a) around 90
b) around 80
c) around 70
d) around 60ROLE PLAY
Role A – Bashar al-Assad
You think Bashar al-Assad is the answer to Syria's war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the least helpful of these (and why): Barack Obama, the U.N. or the rebels.
Role B – Barack Obama
You think Barack Obama is the answer to Syria's war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the least helpful of these (and why): Bashar al-Assad, the U.N. or the rebels.
Role C – The United Nations
You think the U.N. is the answer to Syria's war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the least helpful of these (and why): Barack Obama, Bashar al-Assad or the rebels.
Role D – The rebels
You think the rebels are the answer to Syria's war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the least helpful of these (and why): Barack Obama, the U.N. or Bashar al-Assad.
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'chemical' and 'weapon'.
chemical
weapon
- Share your findings with your partners.
- Make questions using the words you found.
- Ask your partner / group your questions.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
- Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
- Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:
- follow
- might
- about
- ready
- agree
- keep
- carried
- information
- enough
- part
- anybody
- 80
CHEMICAL WEAPONS SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about chemical weapons in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1
_____________
STUDENT 2
_____________
STUDENT 3
_____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.
- Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
- Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS DISCUSSION
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
a)
What did you think when you read the headline?
b)
What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Syria'?
c)
What do you think about the situation in Syria?
d)
What do you know about how Syria's war started?
e)
How often do you follow the news on Syria?
f)
Do you think Mr Assad will follow the plan?
g)
Should the USA pay the $1 billion to destroy the weapons?
h)
Should the USA take military action if Syria does not keep its promise?
i)
What would you like to ask Mr Assad?
j)
What do you think his answers might be?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
a)
Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)
Who do you think used the chemical weapons?
c)
Why is it so difficult to find out who carried out the attack?
d)
Why doesn't America show its information to the world?
e)
What would happen if the USA attacked Syria?
f)
Why do America and Russia disagree so much over Syria?
g)
If America proved Syria used chemical weapons, should they attack?
h)
Why have fighters from 80 countries joined Syria's war?
i)
What questions would you like to ask a rebel?
j)
What do you think his answers might be?
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.
________________________________________________________
2.
________________________________________________________
3.
________________________________________________________
4.
________________________________________________________
5.
________________________________________________________
6.
________________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.
________________________________________________________
2.
________________________________________________________
3.
________________________________________________________
4.
________________________________________________________
5.
________________________________________________________
6.
________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE - CLOZE
The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has said he will (1) ____ a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons. He told reporters from Fox News that it might take one year to do (2) ____. Mr Assad said: "I think it is a very complicated operation (3) ____, and it needs a lot of money. Some estimates say about $1 billion." He added: "It is very bad for the environment. If the American government is ready to pay this money and (4) ____ the responsibility of bringing toxic materials to the United States, why don't they do it?" America wants Syria (5) ____ agree to a United Nations resolution that includes American military action if Syria does not (6) ____ its promise. However, Russia said no to this.
President Assad again told the world that rebels carried (7) ____ a chemical weapons attack in Damascus last month. America says it has information that shows Syria's army used the sarin gas, (8) ____ the rebels. Mr Assad said America was wrong. Russia says there is not (9) ____ proof that Syria's army was responsible. Russia's foreign minister said he has evidence that showed the rebels were (10) ____ of the sarin attack. Mr Assad explained how the rebels could have (11) ____ the gas. He said: "Sarin gas is called kitchen gas. You know why? Because anybody can make sarin in his house. Any rebel can make sarin." He also said Syria was in "a (12) ____ kind of war" because fighters from more than 80 countries had joined the rebels.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1.
(a)
following
(b)
follows
(c)
follower
(d)
follow
2.
(a)
one
(b)
destroy
(c)
plan
(d)
this
3.
(a)
technical
(b)
technically
(c)
technique
(d)
technician
4.
(a)
make
(b)
do
(c)
take
(d)
be
5.
(a)
for
(b)
at
(c)
to
(d)
by
6.
(a)
keep
(b)
make
(c)
cover
(d)
live
7.
(a)
in
(b)
out
(c)
over
(d)
away
8.
(a)
not
(b)
for
(c)
now
(d)
use
9.
(a)
all
(b)
enough
(c)
plenty
(d)
so
10.
(a)
each
(b)
made
(c)
part
(d)
attack
11.
(a)
useful
(b)
uses
(c)
used
(d)
using
12.
(a)
newish
(b)
news
(c)
newly
(d)
new
SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1.
a very eliacomcdpt operation technically
2.
bad for the eeivrnnntmo
3.
take the risynpiesoiltb
4.
a United Nations tnsilorueo
5.
American iamliytr action
6.
if Syria does not keep its emrpios
Paragraph 2
7.
eebslr carried out a chemical weapons attack
8.
there is not enough ofopr
9.
Russia's roeingf minister
10.
Mr Assad ldneexaip how
11.
Sarin gas is called necikth gas
12.
tghefsri from more than 80 countries
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
kitchen gas. You know why? Because anybody can make sarin in his house. Any rebel can make sarin." He also said Syria was in
( )
responsible. Russia's foreign minister said he has evidence that showed the rebels were part of the sarin
( )
complicated operation technically, and it needs a lot of money. Some estimates say about
( )
to pay this money and take the responsibility of bringing toxic materials to the United States, why
( )
attack. Mr Assad explained how the rebels could have used the gas. He said: "Sarin gas is called
( )
President Assad again told the world that rebels carried out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus
( )
last month. America says it has information that shows Syria's army used the sarin gas, not the
( )
American military action if Syria does not keep its promise. However, Russia said no to this.
( )
$1 billion." He added: "It is very bad for the environment. If the American government is ready
( )
"a new kind of war" because fighters from more than 80 countries had joined the rebels.
( )
don't they do it?" America wants Syria to agree to a United Nations resolution that includes
( 1 )
The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has said he will follow a plan to destroy his country's
( )
chemical weapons. He told reporters from Fox News that it might take one year to do this. Mr Assad said: "I think it is a very
( )
rebels. Mr Assad said America was wrong. Russia says there is not enough proof that Syria's army was
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1.
plan his weapons a destroy chemical Follow to country's.
2.
I very think complicated it operation is a.
3.
government to money American ready this The is pay.
4.
of responsibility The U.S. the to materials toxic bringing.
5.
a to America U.N. agree wants resolution to Syria .
6.
sarin Syria's army Information used that the shows.
7.
says Russia proof enough not is there.
8.
attack the part sarin Showed were the rebels of.
9.
the rebels could have used the gas Assad explained how.
10.
80 Fighters countries from had more joined than.
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
The president for / of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has said he will follow a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons. He told reporters from Fox News that it might take one year to do plan / this. Mr Assad said: "I think it is a very complicated / complication operation technically, and it needs a lot of money. Some estimated / estimates say about $1 billion." He added: "It is very bad for the environmental / environment. If the American government is ready to pay this money and make / take the responsibility of bringing toxic / toxicity materials to the United States, why don't they do it?" America wants Syria to agreement / agree to a United Nations resolution that includes American military / militia action if Syria does not keep its promise. However, Russia said no / not to this.
President Assad extra / again told the world that rebels carried in / out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus last month. America says it has information that shows Syria's army used / using the sarin gas, not / now the rebels. Mr Assad said America was wronged / wrong. Russia says there is not enough proof that Syria's army was responsible / responsibility. Russia's foreign minister said he has evident / evidence that showed the rebels were part of the sarin attack. Mr Assad explained / explanation how the rebels could have used the gas. He said: "Sarin gas is called kitchen gas. You know why? Because anybody can make sarin in his house. Any rebel can make sarin." He also said Syria was in "a new kindly / kind of war" because fighters from more than 80 countries had joined / joint the rebels.
Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.
INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)
Th_ pr_s_d_nt _f Syr__, B_sh_r _l-_ss_d, h_s s__d h_ w_ll f_ll_w _ pl_n t_ d_str_y h_s c__ntry's ch_m_c_l w__p_ns. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs fr_m F_x N_ws th_t _t m_ght t_k_ _n_ y__r t_ d_ th_s. Mr _ss_d s__d: "_ th_nk _t _s _ v_ry c_mpl_c_t_d _p_r_t__n t_chn_c_lly, _nd _t n__ds _ l_t _f m_n_y. S_m_ _st_m_t_s s_y _b__t $1 b_ll__n." H_ _dd_d: "_t _s v_ry b_d f_r th_ _nv_r_nm_nt. _f th_ _m_r_c_n g_v_rnm_nt _s r__dy t_ p_y th_s m_n_y _nd t_k_ th_ r_sp_ns_b_l_ty _f br_ng_ng t_x_c m_t_r__ls t_ th_ _n_t_d St_t_s, why d_n't th_y d_ _t?" _m_r_c_ w_nts Syr__ t_ _gr__ t_ _ _n_t_d N_t__ns r_s_l_t__n th_t _ncl_d_s _m_r_c_n m_l_t_ry _ct__n _f Syr__ d__s n_t k__p _ts pr_m_s_. H_w_v_r, R_ss__ s__d n_ t_ th_s.
Pr_s_d_nt _ss_d _g__n t_ld th_ w_rld th_t r_b_ls c_rr__d __t _ ch_m_c_l w__p_ns _tt_ck _n D_m_sc_s l_st m_nth. _m_r_c_ s_ys _t h_s _nf_rm_t__n th_t sh_ws Syr__'s _rmy _s_d th_ s_r_n g_s, n_t th_ r_b_ls. Mr _ss_d s__d _m_r_c_ w_s wr_ng. R_ss__ s_ys th_r_ _s n_t _n__gh pr__f th_t Syr__'s _rmy w_s r_sp_ns_bl_. R_ss__'s f_r__gn m_n_st_r s__d h_ h_s _v_d_nc_ th_t sh_w_d th_ r_b_ls w_r_ p_rt _f th_ s_r_n _tt_ck. Mr _ss_d _xpl__n_d h_w th_ r_b_ls c__ld h_v_ _s_d th_ g_s. H_ s__d: "S_r_n g_s _s c_ll_d k_tch_n g_s. Y__ kn_w why? B_c__s_ _nyb_dy c_n m_k_ s_r_n _n h_s h__s_. _ny r_b_l c_n m_k_ s_r_n." H_ _ls_ s__d Syr__ w_s _n "_ n_w k_nd _f w_r" b_c__s_ f_ght_rs fr_m m_r_ th_n 80 c__ntr__s h_d j__n_d th_ r_b_ls.
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
the president of syria bashar al-assad has said he will follow a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons he told reporters from fox news that it might take one year to do this mr assad said "i think it is a very complicated operation technically and it needs a lot of money some estimates say about $1 billion" he added "it is very bad for the environment if the american government is ready to pay this money and take the responsibility of bringing toxic materials to the united states why don't they do it" america wants syria to agree to a united nations resolution that includes american military action if syria does not keep its promise however russia said no to this
president assad again told the world that rebels carried out a chemical weapons attack in damascus last month america says it has information that shows syria's army used the sarin gas not the rebels mr assad said america was wrong russia says there is not enough proof that syria's army was responsible russia's foreign minister said he has evidence that showed the rebels were part of the sarin attack mr assad explained how the rebels could have used the gas he said "sarin gas is called kitchen gas you know why because anybody can make sarin in his house any rebel can make sarin" he also said syria was in "a new kind of war" because fighters from more than 80 countries had joined the rebels
PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
ThepresidentofSyria,Basharal-Assad,hassaidhewillfollowaplantodestroyhis
country'schemicalweapons.HetoldreportersfromFoxNewsthatitmighttakeon
eyeartodothis.MrAssadsaid:"Ithinkitisaverycomplicatedoperationtechnically
,anditneedsalotofmoney.Someestimatessayabout$1billion."Headded:"Itisv
erybadfortheenvironment.IftheAmericangovernmentisreadytopaythismone
yandtaketheresponsibilityofbringingtoxicmaterialstotheUnitedStates,whydo
n'ttheydoit?"AmericawantsSyriatoagreetoaUnitedNationsresolutionthatincl
udesAmericanmilitaryactionifSyriadoesnotkeepitspromise.However,Russias
aidnotothis.PresidentAssadagaintoldtheworldthatrebelscarriedoutachemical
weaponsattackinDamascuslastmonth.Americasaysithasinformationthatsho
wsSyria'sarmyusedthesaringas,nottherebels.MrAssadsaidAmericawaswron
g.RussiasaysthereisnotenoughproofthatSyria'sarmywasresponsible.Russia'
sforeignministersaidhehasevidencethatshowedtherebelswerepartofthesarin
attack.MrAssadexplainedhowtherebelscouldhaveusedthegas.Hesaid:"Sarin
gasiscalledkitchengas.Youknowwhy?Becauseanybodycanmakesarininhisho
use.Anyrebelcanmakesarin."HealsosaidSyriawasin"anewkindofwar"because
fightersfrommorethan80countrieshadjoinedtherebels.FREE WRITING
Write about chemical weapons for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.
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ACADEMIC WRITING
The USA should go into Syria. Discuss.
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HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the chemical weapons in Syria. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. CHEMICAL WEAPONS: Make a poster about chemical weapons. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. MOVING FORWARD: Write a magazine article about how to end the war in Syria. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against the rebels.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to Syria's president. Ask him three questions about the chemical weapons. Give him three things he should do from now. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE (p.4)
a
F
b
T
c
T
d
F
e
T
f
T
g
F
h
a
SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)
1.
follow
a.
stick to
2.
destroy
b.
wipe out
3.
complicated
c.
complex
4.
estimates
d.
rough guesses
5.
toxic
e.
poisonous
6.
carried out
f.
conducted
7.
rebels
g.
guerillas
8.
proof
h.
evidence
9.
responsible
i.
to blame
10.
kind
j.
type
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)
1.
A plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons
2.
Fox News
3.
Complicated, technically
4.
Business
5.
Take military action
6.
That rebels used chemical weapons
7.
Information
8.
It was wrong
9.
Kitchen gas
10.
Around 80
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)
1.
b
2.
c
3.
d
4.
b
5.
a
6.
a
7.
d
8.
c
9.
d
10.
b
ALL OTHER EXERCISES
Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)
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